Check protector



Sepa, l, H. F. EQRGE L'M@ CHECK PROTECTOR Filed Jimo l5, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet l Sept 19, 1933 H. F. GEORGE 1,927,118

CHECK PROTECTOR Filed Jan. 13, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Sept. 19, 1933 CHECK PROTECTOR Harry F. George, Chicago, Ill. Application January 13, 1928. Serial No. 246,485

13 Claims.

This invention relates to check protectors, and more particularly to the provision of a perforating means which will serially perforate a series of letters, numbers or characters through a piece of paper, whereby such letters, numbers or characters are permanently afxed to the paper. The invention is primarily adapted'for perforating checks, bilis of exchange, notes or other instru-v ments to prevent changing or erasing the perforated letters, numerals or characters.

.Among the objects of my invention are to provide a check protector of such a character that will positively enable the userto protect a check so that it cannot be fraudulently changed or altered; further to provide a device of such a size and character that it may be readily carried in the pocket and adapted for instantaneous use; further to provide an inexpensive, effective and Y practical device for protecting a check; further to provide a check protector of maximum simplicity, efficiency, economy and ease of operation; and such further objects. advantages and capabilities as will later more fully appear. f

My invention' further resides in the combination, construction and arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and while 1 have shown therein a preferred embodiment, 1 desire it to be understood that the same is susceptible of modification and change without departing from the spirit of my invention.

1n the drawings: f

Fig. 1 is'a top plan view of my invention, and Fig. 2 is a bottom plan View of the same.

Fig. 3 is a bottom plan view of the upper portion of the device with the bottom plate removed.

Fig. Il is a top plan view of the bottom plate and roller with the upper section removed.

Fig. 5 is a botto-rn pian View similar to Fig. 3, but disclosing the circular plate with the guard plate removed.

Fig. 6 is a vertical cross sectional view'on line V6---6 of Fig. 1. v l

Fig. 7 is a vertical cross sectional view on line 7-7 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 8 is a vertical cross sectional View on linev provided with a depending side Wall 2. An opening or slit 3 is formed in the side wall 2 and extends substantially to thev center ofthe housing or casing l. A dial Li is mounted upon the housing or casing and is provided with a stub shaft 5 extending through central opening 6 of this housing or casing. This dial is provided with a series of numerals and characters il near the periphery thereof. Eetween the adjacent numerals or characters, the marginal edge of the dial is provided with a series of indents S, the purpose of which will be later more fully explained. The dial is further provided with a raised central portion 9 providing a gripping member for facilitating the turning of the dial by the operator.

A circular plate lo, rotatable with the dial, is provided with a plurality of radial slots defining resilient arms or sectors il, carrying the type 12 corresponding with the numerals vor characters on the dial li. 'The means for rotating the dial 75 and plate consists of a rectangular opening 13 in the central depressed portion of the plate 1,0, which is adapted toreceive the lower rectangular end 14 of the stub shaft 5. The means of insertingthe stub shaft' through the upper housing o1` 80 casing is to insert or pass thecylindrical shaft through a corresponding opening in the casing or housing and then flattening out the lower end4 of the shaft so as to correspond with the rectangular vopening in the central depressed por tion of the plate 10. l

A plate15 is located below the circular plate l0 whichcarries the type and is provided with out out portions 16 and 17. The smaller cut out portions i6 allows for thedepreSSion of the arms or sectorsll inwardly V against the check or other paper whichis inserted in the opening or slit 3. The plate 15-is bent, with the raised section con# taining the cut out portion 16 being adapted 'to 95. lie against the depressed. central portion of the plate l() and the edge of this plate lying against the side Wall 2 of the upper housing or casing.VV The lower section of the plate 15 con' tains thelarger cut out portion 1'7, which as shown 10o moreclearly in Fig. 6, provides a clearance space for a pair of inlzing rolls 1S mounted on shafts 19 in wells 20 in the 1case 2l of the housing. This base 21 is provided with a tapered edge 22 fitting conformably into the oppositely tapered lower edge 23 of the side wall 2 ofthe upper housing or casing, and is further provided with a turned up edge or flange 24 fitting tightlyfover the edge of the side Wall of the upperhousing or casing and providing a means for the ready detachment of 6,5, away from the large one, comprises a slidable bar bar.

the base from the remainder of the housing or casing. y

Integral with the upper housing is provided a pair of upstanding lugs and 26 providing bearings for a shaft 27. Mounted upon this shaft is a cam 28 provided with a cam lever 29, the cam fitting into an opening 30 in the upper surface or face of the housing. When the cam lever is depressed as shown in Fig. 1, the cam bears against the sector or arm 11 of the plate 10 and forces such sector or arm downwardly against the check or other paper. Also mounted upon this shaft 27 is a ratchet wheel 3l engaging a spring pawl 32 afxed or made integral with the cam lever 29. Located on the extreme end of the shaft 27 is a large gear 33 provided with a hub 34. This large gear normally meshes with a smaller gear 35 mounted upon a stub'shaft 36, which stub shaft is in turn mounted upon a bearing or shouder 37 of an arm 38, the gear 35 rotating within a grooved portion 39 of the arm. This arm 38 is attached by any suitable means to the base 21. Under normal conditions, the two gears mesh., the ratchet wheel and spring pawl permitting rotation of the cam lever in one direction Without rotating the gears, and when moved in the opposite direction will rotate the gear through a sufficient distance to carry the check or other paper to a position to receive the next number or character. The two gears are a sufiicient distance above the type to cause indentations in that portion of the check or other instrument in writing bearing the name of the payee.

In order that the surface of the type may always be covered with a sufficient coating of ink to clearly and legibly imprint the number or character on the paper, I provide a bifurcated spring member 40 bridging each of the wells 20 and bearing against the under surface of the inking rolls.

A rubber base or pad 4l is annexed to the plate 21 directly below the cut out portion 16 of the plate, the paper being inserted between the base or pad 41 and the type, the base or pad giving sufficiently to produce a distinct number or character upon the paper.

In order that the dial remain stationary during the period when'thenumber or character is impressed on the paper, and that the sector or arm carrying the number or character may be located centrally of the cut-out portion 16, a spring catch or plunger 42 is provided. This catch or plunger is mounted ina raised portion 43 on the surface of the housing or casing 1. A spring 44 normally forces the catch or plunger against the marginal edge of the dial and into the indents 8g A catch or lock 45 is movably mounted upon the face of the housing 1 and is adapted to lock the cam lever in its depressed position.

Whenever it is desired to insert a paper in the protector for impressing numerals or characters upon the paper, the two gear wheels are forced apart. The means for moving the small gear 46 provided with a turned up ange 47, the bar being held in position by a bolt or other suitable means48 passing through a slot 49, the slot and bolt 48 allowing for a slidable positioning of the The forward end of the bar is bifurcated and comprises side arms 50 and a cross arm 51. This cross arm normally rests in a groove 52 in the arm 38 when the gears are in mesh. When it is desired tomove the gears out of mesh, the

. operator pulls outwardly upon the flange 47 of the bar 46, the cross arm 51 impinging against the tapered side of the groove 52 and riding upon such tapered side. As the arm 38 is afxed or anchored to the bottom plate of the housing, the outer end of the arm is forced downwardly carrying with it the smaller gear and providing sufficient space between the two gears for the inser tion of an instrument in writing. After the paper is inserted, the bar 46 is again pushed forwardly, the cross arm 5l again sliding into the groove 52. Due to the resiliency of the arm 38 the lower gear again assumes its normal position in mesh with the larger gear. In order that the paper may be readily inserted, the sides of the opening or slit 3 are tapered, as clearly shown in Fig. 6.

From the above description, it will be seen that I have provided a check protector of a size that is adapted to be carried around in the pocket, one that is positive in action and adapted to give the greatest amount of service with the least amount of attention. It consists of relatively few parts and provides a positive means for impressing numerals or characters upon the check or other paper and at the same time provides means for indenting the space generally bearing the name of the payee so thatl the same may not be altered.

Having thus disclosed my invention, I claim:

1. In a device comprising a casing provided with a check-receiving opening, a type carrying plate within said casing and consisting of a series of sectors, a dial mounted on said casing and connected to said plate for rotating said plate and dial in unison, said casing having a base provided with a well and an inking roll mounted therein, said inking roll bearing against the face of the type, and a cam for bearing against a selected sector of said plate to impress a numeral or character upon a check inserted in said check receiving opening.

2. In a device comprising a casing provided with a check-receiving opening, a dial mounted on said casing, numerals and characters on said dial, a type carrying plate in said casing and in engagement with said dial and provided with numerals and characters corresponding with those on the dial, a shaft mounted on said casing, a cam and cam lever rotatably mounted on said shaft, said cam adapted to bear against said type plate for impressing the numerals or characters upon a check or other paper inserted in said checlrMreceiving opening, a pair of intermeshing gears one of which is mounted on said shaft for impressing indentations in that part of the check bearing the name of the payee, and a ratchet wheel on said shaft and a spring pawl 0n said cam lever, the came lever rotating in one direction without rotating the gears and when moved in the opposite direction to rotate the gears through a suiiicient distance to carry the check or other paper to a position toreceive another numeral or character.

3. In a device comprising a casing provided with a check-receiving opening, means for impressing a numeral or character upon a check or otherpaper, means comprising a pair of intermeshing gears mounted on said casing for impressing indentations in that part ofthe check or other paper bearing the nameof thepayee, one of said gears being mounted on a resilient arm, and slidable means adapted to flex said arm for separating said gears a suicient distance to enable the insertion of the check or other paper in said check-receiving opening.

4. In a device comprising a casing provided with a check-receiving opening, means within said casing for impressing numerals or characters upon a checkor other paper, a base for said casing, a gear mounted on said casing, a exible arm carried by said base a second gear mounted on said arm and adapted to normally mesh with said first mentioned gear to impress indentations on that part of the check or other paper bearing the name of the payee, and means on said base and engaging said arm for separating said gears a suiiicient distance to enable the insertion of the check or other paper in said check-receiving opening.

5. In a device comprising a casing provided with a check-receiving opening, means within said casing for impressing numerals or characters upon a check or other paper, a base for said casing, a gear mounted on said casing, an arm mounted on said base, a second gear mounted on said arm and adapted to normally mesh with said rst mentioned gear, a groove provided in said arm, a slidable bar having a cross-arm normally resting in said groove, said bar being adapted to slide longitudinally for moving said cross-arm out of said groove and forcing said arm downwardly and carrying with it the .second mentioned gear for moving said gears out of mesh.

6. In a device comprising a casing provided with a check-receiving opening, a dial mounted on said casing and provided with a depending downwardly extending portion adapted to protrude through an opening in said casing, a type carrying plate in said casing and in engagement with the extending portion of said dial and provided with numerals and characters on the lower surface of the plate adapted to be impressed upon a check or other paper inserted in said opening, indents on the marginal edge of said dial, and a spring-pressed plunger adapted to engage said indents for normally holding said dial in adjusted position.

7. In a check protector having a casing provided with a check receiving opening, means having resilient arms carrying numerals, and characters mounted in said casing, cam means for impressing any selected numeral or character upon said check, means for moving the check and impressing indentations in that part of the check bearing the name of the payee, and common means for operating said last mentioned means and cam.

8.r In a check protector having a casing provided with a check receiving opening, means having resilient sectors carrying numerals and characters mounted in said casing, cam means for impressing any selected numeral or character upon said check, means for moving the check and impressing indentations in that part of the check bearing the name of the payee, and means movable in one direction for operating said last mentioned means and in an opposite direction for operating said cam.

9. In a check protector having a casing provided with ya check receiving opening, a type carrying plate in said casing having resilient arms, cam means for impressing one of said arms bearing a selected numeral or character thereon upon said check, a pair of intermeshing gears for moving said check and impressing indentations in that part of the check bearing the name of thepayee, means for moving said cam into engagement with said plate, and means operated by said cam moving means for rotating said gears. f

10. In a check protector having a casing provided with acheck receiving opening, a type carrying plate in said casing having resilient arms, intermeshing gears for moving said check and impressing yindentations in that part of the check bearing the name of the payee, and means mounted on said casing for rotating said gears and including a cam adapted to engage said plate for impressing an arm of said plate bearing a selected numeral or character thereon upon said cheek.

11. In a check protector having a casing provided with a check receiving opening, a type carying plate in said casing having resilient arms, intermeshing gears for moving said check and impressing indentations in that part of the check bearing the name o1" the payee, means including a pawl and ratchet for rotating said gears, said means further including a cam adapted to engage said plate for impressing any selected numeral or character thereon upon said check.

12. `In a check protector having a casing provided with a kcheck receiving opening, a type carrying plate in said casing, intermeshing gears for moving said checky and impressing indentations in that part of the check bearing the name of the payee, a shaft mounted on said casing, one of said gears being mounted on said shaft, an arm mounted on said shaft, a ratchet Wheel on said shaft, said arm having a pawl adapted to engage said wheel for rotating said gears, said arm being provided with a cam surface adapted to engage said plate for impressing any selected numeral or character thereon upon said check.

13. In a checking device having a casing provided with a check receiving opening, resilient arms carrying numerals or characters, means within said casing for impressing said arms carrying said numerals or characters upon a check or other paper, a gear mounted on said casing, a resilient arm secured to the casing, a second gear mounted on said arm and normally meshing with said first gear, and a second arm having a part movable between said resilient arm and casing for wedging said resilient arm outwardly for moving said gears out of mesh.

HARRY F. GEORGE. 

